GUEST EDITORIAL: FBI probe tarnishes political star

When Gov. Bill Haslam ran for the state's top post in 2010, he bolstered his credentials as a successful businessman by touting the family company.

In fact, for TV political ads he used pictures of himself and brother Jimmy Haslam as they built Pilot Travel Centers into the sixth largest private company in America after their father started with just one service station decades ago.

With the FBI now investigating allegations that Pilot salesmen defrauded trucking companies out of millions in promised rebates, the luster might have worn off the Haslam business and, subsequently, the governor's political future.

CEO Jimmy, who also owns the Cleveland Browns, called the situation one of the toughest he's ever dealt with, and the governor is clearly concerned about the company he helped build.

He hasn't been involved in the business for 10 years, though he remains a shareholder. But we'd be surprised if Haslam dusts off those same political ads for the next gubernatorial campaign, even though he hasn't been linked to the investigation other than by name.

Largely seen as a moderate conservative running Tennessee on a business model, Haslam's political star was rising fast. He could easily win another term as governor if the election were held today. In fact, some national publications recently tabbed him as a potential vice presidential candidate.

If he is due any criticism, it could be for refusing to make his financial records public when he ran for governor. Though other candidates made their income information available, he contended that would reveal proprietary and family information.

The inquiry into Pilot Flying J has no connection to his performance as governor, however, and overall he is doing a good job as governor.

It must be noted that Pilot, with thousands of locations across the nation, is a key part of the trucking industry, which is a major cog in the American economy. If truckers shut down, a lot of companies and goods would sit idle.

Until the FBI's investigation is complete and any charges are filed, Haslam's efforts as governor should not be affected. Yet, at the same time, any aspirations he has for national political office could be hindered by the allegations that the business he helped turn into a national player started defrauding the very companies it was serving. That would be a shame.

- The (Murfreesboro) Daily News Journal

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GUEST EDITORIAL: FBI probe tarnishes political star

When Gov. Bill Haslam ran for the state's top post in 2010, he bolstered his credentials as a successful businessman by touting the family company.